Caleb King ready for NFL try

Caleb King ready for NFL try

Georgia tail back Caleb King (4) runs for a touchdown in front of Louisiana Lafayette safety Maurice Rolle in Athens, Ga. (AP)

Former Georgia tailback Caleb King announced Tuesday that he will enter the NFL's supplemental draft.

King played three seasons for the Bulldogs but was ruled academically ineligible for the 2011 season last Friday. The 5-foot-11, 217-pounder from the Atlanta suburb of Norcross rushed for 1,271 yards and 10 touchdowns during his college career and averaged 5 yards a carry.

"My years at the University of Georgia have afforded me a tremendous opportunity to develop my skills on the field," King said through a prepared statement. "Coach Mark Richt and the entire UGA football team and staff have been instrumental in my growth and development both on and off the gridiron. While I will miss my Bulldog family, I will continue to put my situation and future career in God's hands.

"I look forward to pursuing an opportunity at the next level through the NFL's supplemental draft and playing the game that I have loved since I was a young boy."

Essentially half of King's career totals occurred during his sophomore season in 2009, when he rushed for 594 yards and seven scores and averaged 5.2 yards a carry.

The NFL announced in late May that it would go ahead with its supplemental draft despite the ongoing lockout, but a date has yet to be set. Should one take place, it likely will be the most publicized ever with former Ohio State quarterback Terrelle Pryor in the mix.

University of Miami quarterback Bernie Kosar was a supplemental draft pick in 1985, as were Oklahoma linebacker Brian Bosworth and Ohio State receiver Cris Carter in 1987.

Georgia's last player selected in the supplemental draft was cornerback Paul Oliver, a fourth-round pick of the San Diego Chargers in 2007. Oliver had announced in January of '07 that he was returning for his senior season, but he was ruled academically ineligible after the spring semester.